Peace Group Freed by Rebels in Nicaragua
A group of 29 American peace activists kidnaped by Nicaraguan contra rebels Wednesday were freed today and are on their way to San Carlos, a town on Lake Nicaragua, a spokesman for the Witness for Peace group, Rafael Pinal, said.
“We have reports they are navigating again along the San Juan River towards San Carlos,” Pinal said.
San Carlos is 125 miles southeast of Managua.
In San Jose, Costa Rica, government spokesman Armando Vargas said Costa Rican officials flying over the area saw the boat traveling in Nicaraguan waters. He said it appeared to be traveling peacefully and without escort.
The Witness for Peace group and the Nicaraguan government said the 29 American activists, who oppose U.S. policy toward Nicaragua, were kidnaped along with 18 journalists further down the San Juan River on Wednesday.
The government and the group said the kidnaping had been carried out by contra rebels led by Eden Pastora, a former Sandinista who broke with the Managua government when it turned to Marxism.
Pastora’s group issued a denial today from its headquarters in Costa Rica, saying the contras had not seen the American group and claiming that the alleged kidnaping was a show staged by the Nicaraguan government.
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